Get a close-up look at Maya history and traditions on this off-the-beaten-track tour. You'll visit the ancient Maya city of Ek' Balam – the most recent to be opened to the public – as well as Yalcoba to swim in the cenote and a stop in Valladolid.

We'll start the adventure with a guided visit of Ek' Balam, which translates as ‘Black Jaguar.' The site has more than 40 structures and its walls formed a maze, while the main pyramid, known as the Acropolis, has a well-preserved entrance surrounded by the open jaws and fangs of a jaguar. It's bigger than even El Castillo at Chichen Itzá. Best of all, you can climb to the top – which few Maya sites allow.

Afterwards, we'll head to Yalcoba where you can try your hand at chocolate-making and learn how to craft obsidian at a workshop. After a tequila and mezcal tasting you'll have time to enjoy the crystalline cenote, then tuck into a tasty buffet lunch of typical regional dishes. Lastly, we'll have a quick stop in central Valladolid, a city known for its art and architecture and a picture-perfect medley of colourful colonial buildings and historic churches.

Why you’ll love this…

You'll head into the jungle to visit what's left of the ancient Mayan city of Ek' Balam
This trip includes a swim stop at a cenote, a kind of natural freshwater pool unique to Mexico
Chocolate-making, obsidian-crafting and mezcal-tasting are all part of the agenda
The tour wraps up in Valladolid, a small, colourful town that's one of the Yucatan's prettiest parts
You'll follow an expert local guide around this patch of Mexico, so they'll give you the lowdown

Important to know

There's a MXN 45.00 fee for using video cameras at the archaeological site
Order of route subject to change
Tour is guided in German
Pickups are available from Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen hotels. If you don't see the option to add a hotel for pickup, please provide the details at the checkout.
Bring biodegradable insect repellent
Bring bathing gear and sunblock
Bring suitable footwear
Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility
Drinks not included

What people say about this experience

4.6/5

All reviews are verified

Based on 116 reviews

Review categories

Safety

4.6/5

Service

4.6/5

Staff

4.6/5

Value for money

4.3/5

All ratings (116)

5 stars (85)

73%

4 stars (23)

20%

3 stars (6)

2 stars (0)

1 star (2)

M
Markus
Travelled with family
5 April 2026
1
Germany
Uns wird kurzfristig ein Tag zuvor wegen zu wenig Teilnehmern abgesagt was gar nicht geht. Auch mit einer Person hätte die Trip stattfinden müssen. Man plant in seinem Urlaub die Ausflüge und dann muss das auch funktionieren. Zwei Tage zuvor hat man uns bei der Kaffeefahrt nach playa del Carmen vergessen. Wir haben 45 min gewartet. Es gibt keine Telefonnummer mehr im Aushang nur die app wo man nicht weiterkommt und somit ist keiner erreichbar. Lokale Anbieter funktionieren besser
J
Jane Olsson
Solo traveller
16 March 2026
5
Sweden
Det enda jag kan klaga på är att taxin hämtade mig 6.10 på morgonen. Bussen gick inte förrän 7.30. 1 timmes väntan på en mack utan toalett. Annars var utfärden mycket bra underbar guide
B
Ben
Travelled as a couple
7 February 2026
4.6
Netherlands
The workshops were not really workshops but rather shops. The driver in the morning showed up late and stayed 20 more minutes in the hotel for seemingly no reason. The ruins were really beautiful and climbing the temple was amazing! The cenote beautiful and the food was of very good quality. Valladolid has a nice square and church which is worth stopping by for
H
Hartmut
Travelled as a couple
8 March 2026
4.2
Germany
B
BH
Travelled as a couple
22 January 2026
5
Germany
M
Miss Truth
Travelled with family
24 November 2025
4.2
United Kingdom
Really good day, from a historical perspective with enough time at ek balam, enough drinks were offered. Overall the day is far too long, you spent too long at the cenote and I don't know how you can say a trip to Valloid when we literally spent 30mins there! So much time was wasted waiting for 2 buses to be squeezed into one, which ruined the whole tripped before we even started. Initially there was enough room for everyone to have space, but then we were crammed in like sardines.